Way to open doors wider?
Discussion
So after many years i fancy getting back into a Chimaera and went and looked at one today but the amount the drivers door opened seemed pretty Small! Before anyone tells me to go on a diet i'm 5'11 and normal weight 
is there any adjustment to be had or do i need to become more flexible again!
Just to add its a 99 model year if that makes any difference.
is there any adjustment to be had or do i need to become more flexible again!Just to add its a 99 model year if that makes any difference.
Edited by funbobby on Wednesday 10th April 15:32
Thats the best you are going to get. The 99 model is wide compared with the S2 you used to have.
Getting in is easy, its getting out thats the hard bit.
The nack is not to think about it, just do it in one swift movement & dont make it look like you have just fallen out.
Its dead easy when you have to dash for a P stop.
Getting in is easy, its getting out thats the hard bit.
The nack is not to think about it, just do it in one swift movement & dont make it look like you have just fallen out.
Its dead easy when you have to dash for a P stop.
I find it's not the door opening it's how low the seat is that does me. Quick release steering wheel is one of the things that I have on my list, I find it much easier to get in and out of if I don't have to feed myself under it. It's only a few allen screws, take yours off to see if it makes a difference.
I've found the Chimarea / Griff to be one of the very few cars that I have to put my left leg in first as far as possible, much like getting into something like a Caterham or Westfield with the roof on. I'm 6 ft 2 in tall and once I'm in, it is quite comfortable (Peter Wheeler's height DID have an effect IMHO).
But you will really struggle if you put you bum in first and then try to get you legs in afterwards, especially with arthritis in your knee or hips.
Similarly, in getting out you need to swivel your right leg out first before making any attempt at a graceful exit.
But you will really struggle if you put you bum in first and then try to get you legs in afterwards, especially with arthritis in your knee or hips.
Similarly, in getting out you need to swivel your right leg out first before making any attempt at a graceful exit.
funbobby said:
So after many years i fancy getting back into a Chimaera and went and looked at one today but the amount the drivers door opened seemed pretty Small! Before anyone tells me to go on a diet i'm 5'11 and normal weight is there any adjustment to be had or do i need to become more flexible again!
Just to add its a 99 model year if that makes any difference.
I think u will find that the door shell in front of the pivot point is the limiting factor is there any adjustment to be had or do i need to become more flexible again!Just to add its a 99 model year if that makes any difference.
Edited by funbobby on Wednesday 10th April 15:32
steviegtr said:
Fit Lambo door hinges. The type that open a bit then go up. Has anyone ever done it.???
Steve.
I had those Lambo Style Doors on another car, but overall was not enamoured by them. They open out a bit and then up which was an unnatural movement and very easy to simply swing too wide and too hard and strain the hinge.Steve.
While it did allow the doors to open in a narrower gap to anything alongside, it was not easier to get out of the car as the door was rather in the way of where your head needed to be in order to exit the car.
It also felt incredibly showy if anyone was watching. Some people may love being the centre of attention like that, but I do not and just thought it made you look a knob in the supermarket car park.
It’s about a £2k install so not trivial. My car had them when I bought it and which I imagined as a good point. But like a swimming pool, once you’ve had one, you don’t want another. I sold the car and no doubt the new buyer loved them. Wonder what he thinks now.
Gassing Station | Chimaera | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff